Santa Fe honors army hero with bronze statue

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry was honored with a bronze statue outside Santa Fe's City Hall.

SANTA FE -- The City of Santa Fe unveiled a bronze statue honoring a native army hero in front of City Hall on Monday.

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry was awarded the nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor, for heroism displayed during a gun battle with Taliban forces in Afghanistan on May 26, 2008.

Petry, who was pinned down after being shot in both legs, attempted to throw back an enemy grenade that landed near him and two other soldiers. The grenade exploded, resulting in the loss of his right hand.

Hundreds of Santa Fe residents came to thank Petry at the ceremony, to which he arrived via parachute.

Petry told KOB Eyewitness News 4 that the statue's unveiling was the second best thing that has happened to him, right after receiving the Medal of Honor.